Latest Stories

I think it’s safe to say there are three compelling reasons you’re interested in natural health… number one, you want to live longer. Number two, you want to live disease-free. And number three, you want to age well…

Some of us take daily medication along with vitamins and supplements. But some meds do you more good when absorbed quickly. Turns out that the direction you lean could make that more efficient or make it take five times longer to get your benefit…

If you’re struggling to lose weight for whatever reason, you’ve probably wondered whether or not paying for a professional weight loss program is worth it. What would you say to losing double the weight?

Most of us, if we had to choose, might opt to give up our physical abilities over our mental faculties. I know I would. But research demonstrates once again that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In this case, it’s the breath of life for your brain…

If you don’t think you’re being over-exposed to blue light, you’re kidding yourself. Think about how often you talk, text, check Facebook, send an email or order groceries on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Now, the news about blue light has gotten more worrisome…

Extensive research has been published on the amazing health potential of green tea. But its bitter flavor isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. So are you out of luck if you prefer black to green tea? Not in the least, especially if you want to avoid stroke and heart disease and live longer…

We all know that smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer. But there are quite a few myths out there about what else causes the disease, and how you can prevent it. Here are ten of those myths, debunked…

If you’re living with an autoimmune disease, you’re probably focused on keeping it under control. But you should know heart disease could be just around the corner. Autoimmune problems that posed the highest heart risk included these four…

When you see your doctor about your heart, the main dietary advice you’ll get is to cut down on salt. While that’s been standard advice for more than a century, no one really knew how much salt is too much. Or in this case how little you have to give up for a lot of relief…

Muscle loss begins to really affect us around the age of 40 and ramps up with each year. But who knew scientists would find a connection between the same anti-aging ingredient we reach for to keep our skin firm and the process of age-related muscle loss?

Pneumonia is a dangerous condition for older adults. They’re nearly five times more likely to be hospitalized with it and half won’t come out alive. New research has revealed a surprising insight as to why: It has as much to do with the gut as it does with the lungs…

If you’re still not eating more plant-based foods, what’s holding you back? If you doub just how protective fruits and greens are at keeping heart problems at bay, we’ve got some hard and fast numbers that will have you saying ‘yes’ in a heartbeat…

Psilocybin, an active compound in magic mushrooms, has shown promise in treating anxiety and depression thanks to its power to enhance well-being and create change in areas of the brain. Now it may lend a hand to those who need it to give up addiction…

As we grow older, the odds of getting dementia increase. But is that a given? When you take a look at the relationship between age and 8 specific risk factors, you might just find you can keep your brain up to 20 years younger than your contemporaries…

Do you remember when eating eggs for breakfast was considered one of the worst things you could do for your health? I do! But research has found an important nutrient abundant in eggs has the potential to disrupt the inflammation and cell death commonly tied to neurological problems.

A team of neurologists and immunologists have discovered the immune system is capable of fast-acting and lasting protection against ischemic stroke thanks to a subset of first-responder cells that swoop in to protect the brain. Here’s how they can work to our benefit…

When we’re injured, pain and inflammation occur. At home, and at the doctor’s offices, anti-inflammatories have been the answer. But we’re learning that interfering with that inflammatory response can backfire and turn short-term pain into a long-term problem.

Calorie restriction equals weight loss. But there’s a lot more it does for the body, like promoting a longer disease-free life. And Yale researchers have found a way to get those big benefits without having to actually alter caloric intake.

In a world where social media is king, seniors catch a lot of flak. But Boomers aren’t just more experienced than Millenials and Gen Xers. They’re rebels leading the way to better ways to stay healthy, vibrant and live longer…

Sarcopenia, which kicks in after age 40, accelerates muscle loss with each passing year. Worse, this gradual deterioration increases risk for diabetes, heart attack and dementia, not to mention male health problems. There’s a habit you can pick up today to guard against these dangers…

It’s no secret that what you eat has a direct effect on your health. Figuring that out doesn’t have to be complex: Just eating more of six kinds of foods and less of four others can decrease your risk of major cardiometabolic diseases…

HDL is the good cholesterol we all want more of. Easier said than done, right? Actually, it just got easier. And that’s a doubly good thing because not only is HDL good for the heart, research has found it’s also liver-protective. So time to get on board with improving your HDL with the single nutrient that can help you meet all these needs…

Heart procedures like angioplasties and bypass operations save lives. But you know the old adage “too much of a good thing?” Well, tens of thousands of people get these procedures preventatively. But research shows instead of preventing a heart attack, they could worsen your risk…

If you’ve ever had a stubborn case of tinnitus, you know just how unbearable it can be. Constant ringing, buzzing, clicking or hissing in the ears is enough to bring anyone to a breaking point. Have you tried this?

One challenge to treating Alzheimer’s is the difficulty of getting treatments through the blood-brain barrier. But researchers have stumbled across a game-changer: What if you could clean plaques from the blood as it circulates in the brain using existing methods?

The American Heart Association recommends you eat four to five servings of fruit and vegetables every day. But more than 70 percent of produce exposes you to dangerous pesticide residue, negating disease-fighting nutrients. Here’s how to make safer and cost-effective choices…

Tattoos are commonplace as a form of self-expression. Yet, despite their popularity, the industry is largely unregulated, at least when it comes to the ink used. This might give you pause if considering your first or adding to your collection…

For centuries, milk thistle has been used as a natural, herbal remedy to help support the liver, your body’s main detoxifying organ that protects you from pesticides and other environmental toxins. But if you thought that was all it could do, think again. There’s research that your blood sugar, cholesterol and weight could benefit, too.

Being a night owl may be your thing. After all, a nap or two the next day and you feel good as new, right? While that may be, something sinister may be undermining your health. Find out why this liver disease goes after people like you…

The gut-brain axis is a biochemical signaling pathway between your gut and central nervous system. But if your gut’s off, it becomes a fast track for a brain cell-destroying neurotoxin to travel straight to your brain to start a killing spree. Enough fiber can stop it…

Researchers found the “high-risk” version of an Alzheimer’s gene actually responds more favorably to certain lifestyle changes that could lower risk. So, here’s a “plain talk” explanation of the genetic factors that can increase or decrease your risk, and how to outsmart those genes to stay clear of Alzheimer’s.

Milk’s benefits have been hotly debated over the last decade. But a review of 14 scientific papers points to solid evidence that milk and dairy in your diet provide some hefty health benefits you don’t want to go without — especially if you want to avoid some of the biggest disease risks of our time…

If there’s one thing most people have learned about visceral fat (think “beer bellies” and apple-shaped bodies), is that it’s bad. And they’re right… A new study confirms visceral belly fat is connected to heart disease, above and beyond any risk related to excess weight. So what can we do about it?

We’ve all heard that spending too much time sitting leads to obesity, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, even cancer. Are we doomed? Maybe not… A new study reveals that where you sit and what you’re doing makes a huge difference to the health risks that previous studies associated with sitting…

In 2000, about 1 in 150 children had autism. Today, it’s closer to 1 in 59 children. Whether autism rates are actually rising, or awareness is just increasing diagnoses is a question that still needs an answer. Another question that needs an answer? What causes autism in the first place. One theory? The cause is in our food.

What do urinary tract infections and brain damage have to do with each other? As bizarre and frightening as it sounds, there’s a correlation between having a UTI or other infection and having a stroke. What’s more, it seems that having an infection can heighten your chances of brain damage from a stroke.

By now we all know that sugary drinks are no friend to good health. At the same time, most of us have a guilty pleasure… Mine is Big Red. I simply love that bubbly red soda. Should I be worried? I try to limit my consumption to only once in a while, so I’m thinking “no harm, no foul” there, right? WRONG.

This month an astounding report was published claiming little if any reduction in heart disease outcomes is obtained through nutritional supplements and dietary interventions. Unfortunately for me, I know too much to let this claim stand without a rebuttal…

Is social media making us miserable? It seems like it sometimes… Suicide rates are on the rise, and studies link social media to higher rates of depression. A 2012 study, for example, found that the more time you spend on Facebook, the more likely you are to be depressed. But that doesn’t make sense, because staying social is good, right?

Melatonin is an insomniac’s dream. But there are even more great reasons to supplement with melatonin: It just may be the single most powerful anti-aging supplement you can take.

When you look at yourself in the mirror every morning to make sure your fly’s zipped, your cowlick’s tamed and your green smoothie didn’t give you a “mustache,” it’s easy to get hung up on one thing… your weight. Fuhgeddaboudit! Focus on muscle and all falls perfectly into place…

Research is pointing to mindful eating as a way to reduce the symptoms of stress-related conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. It’s also suggesting that it’s a potentially powerful way for people with diabetes to help stabilize blood sugar. But that’s not all. Here’s how it works…

People with Alzheimer’s genes may have more of these forgetful moments than everyone else… even when they’re in their late teens and 20s. A new study published in the journal eLife found that people with a family history of Alzheimer’s performed worse on memory tests from the age of 18 on.

In some women, breast implants may be associated with a constellation of symptoms known as “breast implant illness.” These symptoms include chronic fatigue, pain, cognitive and immune problems. But there’s a bigger danger. A type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been linked exclusively to some implants…

Cannabidiol is the main non-psychoactive chemical compound extracted from cannabis and hemp plants. In other words, while it’s found in marijuana, it’s not one of the compounds responsible for the high associated with the drug. And it just might be prescribed for your next bacterial infection…

I’m in that age group where falling asleep and staying asleep tends to get harder by the year. But, contrary to what many people think, insomnia is not a normal part of aging that we just need to accept. True, sleep problems are more likely. But you don’t have to take them … well, lying down.

What’s happening with your blood pressure outside of the doctor’s office has a significant impact on the medicine you’re prescribed. Which is why when I see a patient with high or borderline blood pressure readings, I advise them to start keeping track of their numbers at home. At that point, the questions start…

Many of us struggle with our weight. Forget body shaming… my point is all about living a healthier life now and in the future — with an emphasis on the future. That’s because if you’re overweight under the age of 50, and don’t lose it as you age, losing your independence is a big risk factor…

Many years ago, I started having mysterious symptoms no doctor could pin down — fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and just a general “off” feeling. It’s been a long journey trying to get a diagnosis since then, but I remember the first diagnosis I almost received — hyperthyroidism…

Did you know that you have not one but two different types of fat in your body? Not only that, but one of these types of fat is actually desirable if you’re trying to lose weight. Those people lucky enough to have more of it may have an easier time burning calories and keeping their weight in check.

What are some of the risk factors you think of when you hear the word stroke? An unhealthy diet, being overweight, not exercising, smoking and maybe even stress. And age, right? Stroke is something you think of happening when you’re closer to 65 or older. Think again…

Younger generations have gone all-in on low-carb diets like keto and paleo. But what if you’re in the over 60-set? There is some new evidence that this diet could have big benefits for older adults who embrace it… especially if your memory and thinking skills aren’t what they used to be…

You’ve probably heard how important getting enough vitamin D is to your health. In fact, the list of health problems that have now been linked to vitamin D deficiency is long and scary. But no worries… if extra time in the sun or supplements aren’t doing it for you, you might like this option…

In a previous report I pointed out some of the scientific literature evidence of the harmful effects of aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal), saccharin, and sucralose (Splenda). Now let’s look at the new and improved aspartame called Neotame, and then a quick look at the others: acesulfame-K, cyclamate and alitame.

Just like my family, hoards of vacationers still flock to the beach, opting for ocean spray over time in the hotel pool, even though ocean water holds something we all should be concerned about… dangerous bacteria.

When you have a chronic disease like MS, you devote a lot of energy to keeping your symptoms in check… You work to get your meds right. You eat healthy. You keep stress levels low. But something serious can happen while you’re running defense against MS… You can get blindsided by cancer.

It took the FDA 36 years to get this chemical out of our soaps and hand sanitizers. So why has it remained in other products when study after study shows that this chemical is far scarier than the germ it’s meant to protect us from. And, most recently, for the first time, it’s been linked to osteoporosis.

After the age of 55, your stroke risk more than doubles with each passing decade. Acne, on the other hand, is generally thought of as a problem faced by the young. What do the two have in common? An accidental discovery that could have your doctor prescribing acne meds instead of statins.

We tend to think more in terms of nutritional supplements for health than we do food, let alone the herbs and spices we use to flavor our favorite dishes. And we think even less of food as a pain reliever. Yet, some flavor profiles play a major role in pain relief. Here are the best…

If you develop joint pain and stiffness as you get older, it’s easy to assume you have osteoarthritis, a common condition. But before you write off a sudden case of stiff, achy joints as a sign you’re not the spring chicken you once were, ask yourself a question — What’s my tick exposure like?